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Cyberfraud in India has surged in recent years, driven by increasing internet penetration, digital transactions, and a lack of widespread cyber literacy. Here are some of the most common types of cyberfrauds currently affecting the country, based on trends and data up to March 17, 2025:
Investment and Trading Scams
Fraudsters lure victims with promises of high returns on stock market investments or cryptocurrency schemes. These scams often involve fake apps or websites that mimic legitimate platforms. Victims are asked to transfer money to “invest,” only for the scammers to disappear.
Digital Arrest Scams
In this sophisticated fraud, scammers impersonate law enforcement officials (e.g., police, CBI, or customs officers) and contact victims via phone calls, video calls, or messages. They falsely accuse victims of crimes like money laundering or drug trafficking, often citing fabricated evidence, and threaten “digital arrest” unless a ransom is paid.
OTP (One-Time Password) Fraud
Scammers trick victims into sharing OTPs by posing as bank officials, customer service representatives, or delivery agents. Once the OTP is shared, fraudsters gain access to bank accounts or UPI wallets and siphon off funds.
Why It’s Common: This remains a widespread issue due to its simplicity and the trusting nature of many victims.
Courier or Parcel Scams
Fraudsters call victims claiming a package linked to their name contains illegal items (e.g., drugs or contraband). They pressure victims to pay a fine or provide personal details to “resolve” the issue. In some cases, they escalate this into a digital arrest scenario.
Case Example: A notable case in Coimbatore saw ₹5.67 crore lost to such scams in just six months in 2024.
Online Job and Task-Based Scams
Victims are offered part-time jobs like liking social media posts, rating apps, or completing simple tasks with promises of easy money. After initial small payments to build trust, victims are asked to invest larger sums or share banking details, leading to significant losses.
Sextortion
Scammers befriend victims online, often through dating apps or social media, and trick them into sharing compromising photos or videos. They then blackmail victims for money, threatening to leak the content to family or friends.
Why It’s Rising: This type of fraud has been on the rise with the growth of online interactions.
Fake Customer Care Scams
Fraudsters set up fake call centers or send messages impersonating customer service reps from companies like PayPal, banks, or e-commerce platforms. They convince victims to share sensitive information or make payments to “fix” account issues.
UPI and Banking Fraud
With the boom in Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions, scammers send fake payment links or QR codes, tricking users into authorizing payments. Alternatively, they exploit stolen KYC details to activate SIM cards or accounts for fraudulent transfers.
Crypto and Ponzi Schemes
Fraudulent cryptocurrency platforms promise massive returns through “mining” or “gaming” schemes.
Phishing and Identity Theft
Scammers use emails, SMS, or APK files disguised as legitimate updates (e.g., Aadhaar or banking apps) to steal personal data like passwords or account details. This data is then used for financial theft or sold on the dark web.
Current Trends and Data
- The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) reported over 740,000 cybercrime complaints in the first four months of 2024.
- Losses exceeded ₹11,333 crore in the first nine months of 2024.
- Southeast Asian countries like Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos have emerged as hubs for orchestrating many of these scams, complicating investigations due to international networks and tools like VPNs and cryptocurrencies.
How to Stay Safe from Cyberfraud
- Stay Informed: Be aware of common fraud types.
- Verify Sources: Always confirm the legitimacy of apps, websites, and calls.
- Secure Personal Data: Never share OTPs or sensitive information.
- Report Fraud: Use official platforms like the I4C portal to report cybercrimes.
Awareness and caution remain key defenses against these evolving threats.